How to get around New York on foot

Exploring New York on foot is a pleasure. The city is flat, there's plenty to see on every corner, the sidewalks are wide, and people here have the good habit of walking everywhere.

For all those reasons, New Yorkers are the people who walk the most in the entire United States. You'll notice it in how fit they generally are.

It's true that when we travel, everything is new and everything surprises us. That's why we tourists walk slowly and stop every few steps to take in each new thing.

But if you'd rather not have a rough time exploring New York on foot, there are several unwritten rules you should follow. Here's what they are.

They're simple tips that will give you a great experience while also respecting the daily routines of the people who live here.

Walking in New York: the basic rules

You might be wondering, why does walking in New York have a science to it?

This comparison should help: imagine that walking the streets of Manhattan at rush hour is like driving on a high-speed highway. If you brake suddenly, you can picture what happens next.

The basic principle of getting around New York on foot is to assume that New Yorkers are always in a hurry.

That frantic energy is part of the psychological makeup of a city that also has one of the highest rates of psychoanalysts per capita in the world (watch a few Woody Allen movies if you don't believe me 🤣).

In reality, the place where people are in the biggest rush is the neighborhoods of Manhattan, especially Downtown Manhattan and Midtown Manhattan.

In the neighborhoods of Brooklyn or the neighborhoods of Queens, you can walk at a calmer pace and you're far less likely to get shoved or cursed at.

So here are a few simple rules of courtesy so that when you walk around New York, you fit right in:

1. Walk fast, walk straight, walk single file

On the busiest streets, people walk fast, in a straight line, and never more than two people side by side.

If you zigzag, stop abruptly, or walk in a row of three or more, you'll get elbowed, shoved, or at the very least cursed at.

2. On the subway, keep to the right

When you're moving through the New York subway stations, it's important to stay on the right side, both in the corridors and on the stairs (the slow lane, so to speak).

Chances are you'll be walking slower than the locals, since you'll be watching the signs so you don't get lost. So stick to the right and leave the «left lane» free for the people moving fast. Everyone wins.

This rule matters especially on escalators: never block the way for people moving faster. It's considered disrespectful of other people's time.

Another important tip: never stop abruptly when you step off an escalator or out of an elevator.

As you exit, even if you're not sure which way to go, keep walking until you find a quiet spot where you can stop without bothering anyone. Oh, and always look behind you before you stop. That way you won't cause a traffic jam.

3. Never stop suddenly, always look behind you

When you need to check directions, take a photo, or crane your neck to admire the skyscrapers of New York, move off to one side or find a corner where you'll be least in the way and won't interfere with «traffic» (again, it's the same logic as driving in the fast lane).

4. If a group of pedestrians runs the red light, follow them

On New York corners it's common to see pedestrians crossing the street without waiting for the green light. Until October 2024, that was illegal (you could be fined up to $300).

These days, crossing outside of the crosswalk or against a red light is no longer illegal, because jaywalking was decriminalized. So if the locals ignore the signal, go ahead and follow them!

Keep in mind that even though crossing outside the crosswalk is now allowed in New York, you should always look carefully both ways before you do it.

Drivers here aren't big on respecting traffic lights either, so be careful. Jaywalking may be perfectly legal now, but dozens of pedestrians still die doing it every year.

5. Every block is one minute of walking

There's a simple formula for estimating how long it takes to walk from one point in Manhattan to another: one block takes about 1 minute on average, with the exception of the blocks between avenues, which are much longer and take about 4 to 5 minutes each.

6. What shoes to wear in New York

If there's one place in the world where you're going to walk a lot, it's New York. In fact, walking is one of the best ways to get to know the city. If all that walking isn't your thing, you're better off flying to Los Angeles and renting a car XD

So it's really important to travel with your most comfortable walking shoes. You'll thank me later. And if even in your comfiest sneakers your feet are killing you by the end of the day, you can always head to Chinatown for a good massage for just a few dollars 🐲.

Walking in New York: real advice

Below are several tips from followers of a Time Out New York post on their Instagram account.

For the most part they give the same advice for walking in New York that I just shared, but I like the idea of you reading real comments from other people (translated, of course):

• If you're not sure where you're going, step to the side and figure it out. The sidewalks are our highways, and you shouldn't be stopping in the middle of them.
• Don't walk three across, taking up the whole sidewalk. Leave room for others to get past.
• Walk faster. New York is a fast-paced city.
• On escalators, stand to the right if you're going to stand still; use the left side only if you're walking.
• Always keep to the right when you walk, and don't stop on the subway stairs or in the middle of the sidewalk.
• Avoid crossing the street recklessly. Even if you see locals do it, they're used to it and you're not. Wait for the walk signal.
• Remember that you're in our home. We walk these same sidewalks to get to work and to the grocery store. Be respectful of New Yorkers and their daily routine.
• Don't hesitate to ask for help, recommendations, or directions. New Yorkers love sharing what they know about the city.
• If you don't like one part of the city, walk a couple of blocks. Every one of New York's neighborhoods has its own style and atmosphere.
• Avoid empty subway cars; they're usually empty for a good reason.
• Walk whenever you can. It's the best way to explore New York and discover its secrets.